When the Occupational Health and Safety Act
was passed making it a requirement that chemical companies had to
provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to purchasers of their
chemicals, and that users had to provide hazardous communication
programs for their employees to understand the MSDS, there has been
a problem! NOT MANY KNOW HOW TO READ THEM...
The logic behind the passage of legislation requiring
chemical companies to provide MSDS to users of their chemicals is
sound. To protect the user against the hazardous ingredients in
the chemical.
So, as a detail shop owner or worker it is imperative
to know what you are using and handling. Labels provide some basic
information, but they DO NOT provide all the information necessary
for working with a hazardous detail chemical. The best source of
this information is the product's Material Safety Data Sheet, or
MSDS.
What is on an MSDS?
Typically, the MSDS contain most of the information
provided in this article. It may, however, be listed under different
headings or categories differently. If you cannot locate the information
needed, contact the chemical manufacturer, which is provided under
the first category
------ Product and Manufacturer
Identification.
Product and Manufacturer Identification Listed will
be the manufacturer's address, telephone number and emergency phone
number in case of an accident or accidental release. Also provided
are any miscellaneous grades of the product and any generic product
names.
Hazardous Ingredients
These are listed according to their specific chemical
identities and common names. An optional listing is the percentage,
by weight, of each ingredient in the product's composition. Some
MSDSs list only hazardous ingredients some include hazardous plus
other important ingredients and still others provide all ingredients.
The following are also disclosed- ·
The ingredient's specific permissible exposure limits
(PEL) as defined by OSHA
- The ingredients's threshold limit values (TVL) as defined by
the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
Threshold Limit Value.
- Whether the ingredients are listed in the National Toxicology
Program Annual Report on Carcinogens.
- Whether OSHA or the International Agency for Research on Cancer
has found the ingredients to be a carcinogen.
Physical and Chemical Characteristics
Describes the color, shape, odor, vapor pressure, pH, solubility
in water and specific gravity or density of the product. May also
include information on its volatile organic compounds (VOC) content,
heat value, particle size, softening point, evaporation rate, viscosity,
bulk density, molecular weight and molecular formula.
First - Aid Procedures
Lists information on symptoms of over-exposure to the product as
well as what emergency and first aid procedures to implement. It
is important to review this section because a worker may suffer
overexposure symptoms such as headache or respiratory problems without
associating the problem to the chemical. Carcinogenity and/or toxicity
is also listed.
Fire and Explosion Hazard Data
Tells whether the material is flammable or explosive, provides
firefighting procedures and lists unusual fire and explosion hazards.
Also provides data on flammable properties of the product such as
flash pint, upper and lower flammable limits, flammability classification,
auto ignition temperature and the release of flammable vapors.
Handling and Usage
Highlights proper precautions in regard to the unique properties
of the material. Included are immediate procedures to follow in
the event of a spill or leak. Also lists waste disposal, storage
and handling methods.
Accidental Release Measures
Describes the containment methods for the chemical, cleanup procedures
and the emergency equipment needed for spills or other releases
of the product.
Control Measures and Personal Protection
Recommendations
Lists the requirements for adequate ventilation and for personal
protective equipment that must be worn while handling the chemical.
Reactivity Information
Specifically describes the circumstances that could create a hazardous
chemical reaction. Also lists the chemical stability, incompatibility
with other chemicals and conditions to avoid during use.
Toxicological Data
Explains the background data used to ascertain any hazards the
chemical presents. Transportation Information Lists information
required by the Dept of Transportation (DOT) such as the hazardous
material's description name, hazard classification and identification
number.
Disposal Considerations
Lists the chemical classification for waste disposal regulations,
chemical and physical properties of the product and any special
disposal requirements. Ecological Data Included to assist environmental
professionals in recognizing the impact of the product in case of
an accidental release.
Regulatory Guidelines
Lists OSHA regulations regarding chemical handling. Could contain
information from other regulatory agencies, as well.
Glossary of MSDS Terms
There are many things to consider when choosing chemical products
for your detail business, besides how they work. The following glossary
of MSDS terms will help you to clarify and understand the information.
If, after reading the MSDS you are still unclear of a given product's
safety, always ask someone before using it. You should call the
chemical manufacturer or the "hot-line" telephone number on the
container.
Please, for yours and your employees safety it is critical to understand
the hazards you face.
Absolute - Any chemical that is free from any other material, except
for up to 1% water.
Acid - A chemical compound that contains one or more hydrogen ion
that will liberate hydrogen gas on contact with certain metals and
has a pH of less than 7 (neutral), and is very active chemically.
The chemicals we call acids are very corrosive. Acrid - Bitter,
harsh, and sharp taste.
Acute Exposure - An exposure of short duration.
Acute Toxicity - Adverse effects that result from a single dose
of a chemical or a single exposure to a substance.
Alkali - Any substance that has a pH greater than 7 (neutral).
Any chemical known as alkalis are corrosive.
Alkaline - The property of being alkali Allergen - A substance
that will produce an allergic reaction when a person is exposed
to it.
Ambient Temperature - The temperature of the environment in which
any physical or chemical event occurs.
Anesthetic - A substance that renders a human or animal drowsy
and in large doses or exposures can produce unconsciousness or even
death.
Anhydrous - A chemical term meaning "no water present."
Antidote - A remedy that will counteract the effects of a poison.
Aqueous - Pertaining to water.
Asphyxiant - A substance, either a gas or vapor that interferes
with the respiratory process.
Asphyxiation - Unconsciousness or death caused by lack of oxygen.
Aspiration Hazard - A danger produced by drawing a substance into
the lungs. The resulting symptoms range from mild irritation to
death.
Autoignition Temperature - The minimum temperature to which a material
must be raised before combustion will occur. Also can be called,
ignition temperature.
Boiling Point - The minimum temperature at which the vapor pressure
of a liquid just equals the atmospheric pressure.
Carcinogen - A substance that causes cancer.
CAS Number - Chemical Abstracts Services number.
Caustic - A substance that is strongly alkaline that has a corrosive
effect on tissue.
cc - Cubic centimeter. This is a metric measurement of volume that
is equal to one millimeter. One cc equals 0.061 cubic inch. One
cubic inch equals 16.6 cc's. And, a quart equals approximately 946
cc's.
Ceiling Limit - The limit above which no excursion by the concentration
of regulated substance is permitted.
Chemical Reactivity - The tendency and ease with which a substance
enters into chemical reactions.
CHEMSTREC - Chemical Transportation Emergency Center. It was established
and is operated by the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA,
1-800/424-9300). It is a 24 hour emergency response information
source. Many chemical company's register all their chemical with
CHEMSTREC so that in an emergency a user can call to determine what
should be done.
Chronic Exposure - Repeated or continuous exposure over a long
period of time. Combustible - Capable of burning.
Combustible Liquid - A liquid with a flash point of 100 degrees
F or higher.
Compressed Gas - A gas that is under pressure, either in a gaseous
state or in a liquid.
Concentration - The amount of one material mixed or dissolved in
another expressed as a percentage.
Corrosive - Any material that will attack and injure or destroy,
by chemical action, any living tissue with which it comes into contact.
Dilute - A solution of low concentration, produced by the addition
of water (or another liquid) to the substance.
DOT - The United States Dept of Transportation. Emulsion - A stable
mixture of two or more immiscible liquids held in suspension.
Evaporation - The process by which a liquid changes into a vapor,
always accompanied by in increase in energy of the molecules evaporating.
Evaporation Rate - The speed at which a liquid converts to a vapor
below it's boiling point.
Exposure Limits - The amount of material to which a worker may
be exposed with no injury. Usually stated at TLV-TWA, PEL, STEL
and C (ceiling limit).
Flammable Liquid - A liquid with a flash point below 100 degrees
F.
Flammable Range - The concentration of gas or vapor in air between
the Lower and Upper Flammable limits. This is the range of concentrations
in air in which ignition of the gas or vapor will occur.
Flash Point - The minimum temperature of a liquid at which it produces
vapors sufficient to form an ignitable mixture with air near the
surface of the liquid or the container. You must take care with
flash points, however. Different values can be arrived at by using
different methods. Check several references and use the lowest value
reported.
Freezing Point - The temperature at which a liquid changes into
a solid.
Full Protective Clothing - Clothing that prevents skin, eye and
respiratory contact with gases, vapors, fumes, liquids, mists, and
dusts. Includes positive-pressure Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
(SCBA).
Hydroscopic - The ability to absorb moisture from the environment.
Hypergolic - The property of instantaneous reaction when two or
more chemicals simply come into contact with each other.
Hypoxia - A deficiency of oxygen reaching body tissues. IDLH; Immediately
Dangerous to Life and Health. The amount of material, usually expressed
as parts per million (ppm) of air or other material, or milligrams
per cubic meter of air.
Ignitability - The ease with which a substance will ignite. Ignitable
Mixture - A mixture of fuel and air within the flammable range.
Ignition Temperature - (See autoignition temperature.) Impervious
- Preventing the penetration of or passage through one material
by another.
Inert - Does not take part in chemical reactions easily. Irritant
- A substance that is not classified as a poison, but may cause
injury by irritation of the eyes, skin, or mucous membranes.
Lower Flammable Limit - The minimum percentage of gas or vapor
in the air below; which ignition will not occur (the mixture is
too "lean"). Also called the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).
M - Meter.
Melting Point - The temperature at which a solid turns to a liquid.
mg/m3 - Milligrams per cubic meter of volume, usually implied as
one milligram of material per cubic meter of air. A method of measuring
dust and other fine particles in air.
mg/kg - Milligrams per kilogram. One mg/kg is equivalent to one
part per million by weight. A method of expressing dose, as one
milligram per kilogram of body weight.
ml - Milliliter .
mm - Millimeter .
Oxidizer - Also called oxidizing agents. Substances that contain
oxygen and give it up readily or will otherwise support combustion.
The halogens are oxidizers that contain no oxygen.
PEL - Permissible Exposure Limit. (See TLV-TWA.)
Poison - Any substance that causes injury, illness, or death to
living tissue by chemical action.
Poison A - A gas or liquid so toxic that an extremely small amount
of the gas or vapor from the liquid is dangerous to life.
PPE - Personal protective equipment. ppm - Parts per million (of
air).
Psig - Pounds per square inch gauge. This is the measurement of
gas pressure above atmospheric pressure. Psig equals psia (pounds
per square inch absolute) plus atmospheric pressure.
Pyrophoric - A substance that reacts spontaneously in air. Reactivity
- The ease a substance has of entering into chemical reactions.
Sensitization - A reaction in which exposure to a particular chemical
will cause reactions to future exposures that will be much more
severe and/or will cause adverse reactions to chemicals that previously
caused no problems to the now sensitized individual.
Sensitizer - A substance that causes little or no reaction after
the first exposure, but which on repeated exposures may cause serious
reactions to it or other substances.
Solution - A uniformly dispersed mixture of one material dissolved
in others.
Solvent - A substance capable of dissolving another substance to
form a uniformly dispersed mixture called a solution.
Specific Gravity - The weight of solids or liquids as compared
to the weight of an equal volume of water.
STEL - Short term exposure limit. Usually 15-minute time-weighted
average exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during
a workday, even if the 8-hour time- weighted average is within the
TLV -TWA (see below).
TLV -TWA - Threshold Limit Value- Time-Weighted Average. The time-
weighted average concentration for a normal 8-hour workday and a
40- hour workweek, to which nearly all workers may be repeatedly
exposed, day after day, without adverse effect. The OSHA term is
PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit). Toxic - Anything harmful, destructive,
poisonous, or deadly to the body.
Upper Flammable Limit - The maximum percentage of gas or vapor
in air above which ignition will not occur (the mixture is too "rich").
Also called the Upper Explosive Limit (UEL).
Vapor Density - The relative density of a vapor or gas (with no
air present) as compared to clean, dry air. The vapor density of
clean, dry air is 1.0. Any gas or vapor with a vapor density greater
than 1.0 will sink in air, while any gas or vapor with a density
less than 1.0 will rise in air.
Vaporization - The process by which a liquid converts to a vapor.
Also known as evaporation.
Vapor Pressure - The pressure exerted by a gas or vapor on the
sides of its container, .at equilibrium. Equilibrium is reached
when the vapor pressure of the vapor in the container has stabilized.
Volatile - The capability of evaporating rapidly at normal temperatures
and pressures.
Volatility - The tendency of a liquid to evaporate at a given temperature.
The higher a liquid's volatility, the faster it will evaporate.
Water Reactive - Having the property of entering into a reaction,
chemical or physical, when contacting water. This may include violent
spattering and the production of other hazardous materials, as well
as large amounts of heat.
SUMMARY As cumbersome as all this information might seem, it is
critical for you to know this for your own personal safety and that
of your personnel. You also have legal exposure if your employees
are nor aware of the information on an MSDS. You should contact
your chemical supplier for both the MSDS and assistance in helping
your with a Hazardous Communication Program.
This information was first published by the Bureau of Business
Practice, 24 Rope Ferry Rd., Waterford, CT 06386 |
